Evaluation Criteria

The needs identification and evaluation process is broken into three steps:

Step 1: Suitability Analysis

This step evaluated the overall bicycle and pedestrian supportiveness of an area in terms of safety needs, density, mix of uses, street connectivity, proximity to transit and other essential destinations like grocery stores, schools, senior housing and services, social services, major employment areas, colleges, hospitals, libraries and parks. The first step analysis identified areas where pedestrian and bicycle improvements would likely have the highest impact on the largest number of existing and potential users.

Step 2: Overlay Analysis

This step developed a list of scored needs by applying the weighted suitability analysis scores to gaps identified through the sidewalk and bike lane inventories. Gaps in close proximity to the regional trail network were given a higher priority. The top 90 bicycle and pedestrian needs were identified.

Step 3: Improvement Constraints and Public Support

This step narrowed the list to the top 30 bicycle and pedestrian needs, by considering public support, geographic equity, right-of-way constraints, and planning-level cost estimates of potential future improvements.